The Bruin is a rich dark red-brown color in the glass, with a nose that is earthy, grainy, and a slight bit spicy. As Michael Jackson said about the Leireken buckwheat-based beers, “you will not be bored,” and they are “entertaining.” The buckwheat component offers a different style than most traditional all-barley malt beers with its interplay of spiciness, fruitiness, and a slightly dry and quenching finish. Medium bodied and 6% alcohol, this is a beer that can be enjoyed as a companion for a wide variety of everyday meals (try it with your favorite Asian take-
out), or as a sociable cocktail brew that will not overpower the conversation.

Recognized with a Silver Medal/Highly Recommended rating by the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2006, and a Silver Medal at the 2006 World Beer Championships, this double bock (doppelbock) has won over quite a few fans. Let's get right to it, shall we? The beer pours a rich, clear amber color with garnet highlights when held to the light. Give it a good high pour to fully bring out the lightly caramelized meringue-toned head. After a moment to let ...

You may have noticed "Ur" as a prefix that shows up quite a bit in beer names, particularly those hailing from Germany and the Czech Republic. Ur is a German prefix that can mean "first," "prime," or "original," but the term is sometimes loosely applied to mean older or traditional. Clearly, Falkensteiner Ur-Weisse is not the original or first German hefeweizen, but it is brewed to emulate the traditional, older styles of hefeweizens brewed in Ba...

This IPA has a powerful yet graceful hop intensity that is reminiscent of wet-hop beers (which are made using freshly picked rather than dried hops)—we were surprised to learn that they've achieved this hop character with just one varietal (Amarillo). On the nose, expect a high hops presence, but not at all bawdy; they won't punch you in the nose, but they are boldly bitter in the flavor profile. Also note an ample malty backbone that bodes of a ...

Expect a nice big malty nose with fresh grains and a flowery hop note. Look for notes of sweet caramel, brown sugar, taffy, apples, oranges, grapefruit, lemon zest & chocolate. Quite citrusy. We found it went down less sweet than expected, with bitterness coming in quickly, rounded out by a peppery hop profile making its debut late in the progression. The sweeter notes really take a back seat, with citrus rind flavors and those peppery hops groun...

A gold medal winner at the 1999 Great American Beer Festival and the 2000 World Beer Cup. Note the attractive off-white head which provides a nice contrast atop such a dark brew. The nose is quite a treat—roasty, with the slightest touch of coffee beans, and minor notes of smoky charred wood, almost like burnt driftwood—salty and sticky like the ocean—with hints at vanilla and a whisper of bourbon. Quite unique. Expect some husky, roasted malt ch...

This is the brewery's most award-winning beer. It's taken home the National Grand Champion ribbon from the United States Beer Tasting Championship every year since 2002 and a Gold Medal at the 2000 GABF (plus a bunch of other accolades). The aroma is spot on for a Bavarian-style Hefe Weizen with banana being rather robust and spicy clove also present, buttressed by a yeasty bubble gum note, a touch of sliced orange and distinct wheat notes. Hops ...